Abstract

<p>There are many pressures on mental health care providers and funders which make it imperative that they plan carefully how to achieve the best care and outcomes for users from available resources. Economics can assist in guiding decisions in this difficult area. This chapter focuses on the main modes of economic evaluation - cost-effectiveness, cost-benefit and cost-utility analyses - as they have been set out and applied in the mental health field. Illustrations of classic analyses are provided. The chapter then considers three methodological developments that are required in this field: tackling the principles of coosting, and then applying them in practice; and developing valuations of mental health service outcomes. Discussion questions and further reading suggestions are provided.